work

1[uncountable]the job that a person does, especially in order to earn moneysynonymemploymentShe had been out of work(= without a job) for a year.He started work as a security guard.It is difficult to find work in the present economic climate.I'm still looking for work.She's planning to return to work once the children start school.What line of work are you in (= what type of work do you do)?before/after work(= in the morning/evening each day)full-time/part-time/unpaid/volunteer workTopic CollocationsJobsgetting a joblook for worklook for/apply for/go for a jobget/pick up/complete/fill out an application (form)send/e-mail your résumé/CV/application/application form/cover letterbe called for/have/attend an interviewoffer somebody a job/work/employment/a promotionfind/get/land a jobemploy/hire/recruit staff/workers/traineesrecruit/appoint a managerdoing a jobarrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factorystart/finish work/your shiftdo/put in/work overtimehave/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualificationsdo/get/have/receive traininglearn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skillscope with/manage/share/spread/delegate the workloadimprove your/achieve a better work-life balancehave (no) job satisfaction/job securitybuilding a careerhave a job/work/a career/a vocationfind/follow/pursue your vocationenter/go into/join a professionchoose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a careerchange jobs/professions/careersbe/go/work freelancedo/take on temp work/freelance workdo/be engaged in/be involved in volunteer workleaving your jobleave/quit/resign from your jobgive up work/your job/your careerhand in your notice/resignationplan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc.take early retirementTopic CollocationsUnemploymentlosing your joblose/quit/leave your jobget/be fired/ (informal) laid off/ (formal) terminated/asked to resign (for doing something)be offered/take early retirementface/be threatened with dismissaldismiss/fire an employee/a worker/a managerlay off staff/workers/employeescut/reduce/downsize the workforcebeing unemployedbe unemployed/out of work/out of a joblook for/seek work/employmentbe on/collect/draw/get/receive unemployment (benefits)claim/draw/get/be on/qualify for unemployment (compensation)be/go/live/depend on welfarecollect/receive/apply for/qualify for welfarecombat/tackle/cut/reduce unemployment

2[uncountable]the duties that you have and the activities that you do as part of your jobPolice work is mainly routine.The accountant described his work to the sales staff.see alsopiecework,social work

3[uncountable]tasks that need to be doneThere is plenty of work to be done in the garden.Taking care of a baby is hard work.I have some work for you to do.Stop talking and finish your work.see alsohomework,schoolwork

4[uncountable]materials needed or used for doing work, especially books, papers, etc.She often brings work (= for example, files and documents) home with her from the office.His work was spread all over the floor.see alsopaperwork

place of job

5[uncountable](used without the)the place where you do your jobIgo to work at 8 o'clock.When do you leave for work?The new legislation concerns health and safety at work.I have to leave work early today.Her friends from work came to see her in the hospital.

effort

6[uncountable]the use of physical strength or mental power in order to do or make somethingShe earned her grades through sheer hard work.We started work on the project in 2009.Work continues on renovating the hotel.The work of building the bridge took six months.The art collection was his life's work.She set them to work painting the fence.They performed pioneering work on the treatment of cancer.see alsodonkey work,fieldwork

product of work

7[uncountable]a thing or things that are produced as a result of workShe's an artist whose work I really admire.Is this all your own work(= did you do it without help from others)?The book is a detailed and thorough piece of work covering all aspects of the subject.

result of action

8[uncountable]the result of an action; what is done by someoneThe damage is clearly the work of vandals.

book/music/art

9[countable]a book, piece of music, painting, etc.the collected/complete works of Tolstoyworks of fiction/literatureBeethoven's piano worksHe recognized the sketch as an early work by Degas.see alsowork of artcompareopus

building/repairing

10works[plural](often in compounds)activities involving building or repairing somethingThey expanded the shipyards and started engineering works.A contract can ensure that landlords carry out the works for which they are legally responsible.see alsopublic works

factory

11works(pl.works)[countable](often in compounds)a place where things are made or industrial processes take placea brickworksRaw materials were carried to the works by rail.Thesaurusfactoryplantmillworksyardworkshop/shopfoundryThese are all words for buildings or places where things are made or where industrial processes take place.factory a building or group of buildings where goods are made:a chocolate/cigarette/clothing factoryplant a factory or place where power is produced or an industrial process takes place:a nuclear power planta manufacturing planta bottling plantmill a factory that produces a particular type of material:a steel/cotton/paper/textile/woolen millworks (often in compounds) a place where things are made or an industrial process takes place:a brickworksa steelworksRaw materials were carried to the works by rail.yard (usually in compounds) an area of land used for building something:a shipyardworkshop/shop a room or building in which things are made or repaired using tools or machinery:a car repair shopa sheet metal workshopfoundry a factory where metal or glass is melted and made into different shapes or objects:an iron foundryPatterns a car/chemical/munitions factory/plant an engineering plant/(work)shop to manage/run a factory/plant/mill/works/yard/workshop/foundry to work in/at a factory/plant/mill/yard/workshop/foundry factory/mill/foundry owners/managers/workers

ThesaurusworkemploymentcareerprofessionoccupationtradeThese are all words for the work that someone does in return for payment, especially over a long period of time.work the job that someone does, especially in order to earn money:It's very difficult to find work at the moment.He's been out of work for months.employment (somewhat formal) work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employed or the situation in which people have work:The company has employment opportunities right now.career the job or series of jobs that someone has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes:She had a very distinguished career in medicine.profession a type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education:He hopes to enter the medical profession.The profession is all the people who work in a particular profession:the legal profession.The professions is an old-fashioned term for the traditional jobs that need a high level of education and training, such as being a doctor or lawyer.occupation (somewhat formal) a job or profession:Please state your name, age, and occupation.trade a job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training and skills:Carpentry is a highly skilled trade.Patterns (a) full-time/part-time work/employment/career/occupationpermanent/temporary work/employment (a) well-paid work/employment/profession/occupation (a) low-paid work/employment/occupation to look for/seek/find/have work/employment/a career/an occupation to get/obtain/give somebody/offer somebody/create/generate/provide work/employmentIdioms